Review of Linux Compatibility

The Creative Sound Blaster Z CA0132 is an internal sound card for the PCI Express port. The card is only partly and unreliably supported by the Linux kernel (see open bug report). It is therefore not recommended to use this card under Linux.

The following error message is shown by the standard (i.e. unpatched) Linux kernel during the initialization of the Sound Blaster Z:

Comments

I purchased SoundBlaster Z and I get NO sound from any Ubuntu distro 32 bit or 64 bit. I have multiple Ubuntu`s of Linux Mint, Ubuntu 14.04-16.10. Ubuntu Kylin 32 bit NO sound with or without front panel connected. NO SOUND period !!!! Nice card for Windows, but not for Linux.

Optical out will work on Ubuntu 14.04 64-bit but its unreliable. I will just use on-board audio for Linux for the few times I really need it. This is why people have Windows, because its easy and it just works!! (out of the box)

Sorry but you tried it just with Ubuntu. Maybe just the Ubuntu and the other Ubuntu based distros have problem with this hardware. Try with other distros which are not Ubuntu based. For example I have a Toshiba Laptop which works well with blackPanther OS but freezes with the Ubuntu based distros.

See if that helps. I found that only stereo audio worked and I think it was on the line-out port… I could be wrong. Try all ports with music playing to see if it works. I can no longer test it as Windows 10 drivers for the Sound Blaster Z and Recon3D seriously suck and crackle a lot for me so I’ve gone back to the RealTek onboard which works flawlessly on Linux and Windows. I’m never buying a Sound Blaster sound card. Recommend using a USB DAC which will have zero issues or crackling sound since it is outside the computer instead of inside.

Since kernel 3.7 the CA0132 sound cards (Sound Blaster Recon 3D and the Sound Blaster Z) have worked properly on Linux 32bit kernel where the firmware loader works properly and says “ca0132 DOWNLOAD OK DSP IS RUNNING.”

Tested up to 3.16.2. 64bit has errors and requires using commands such as…

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Furthermore, use the section for the exchange of experiences with this hardware component or search for configuration help from other owners of this hardware.